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Sports Insider'Pistol Pete' Maravich is Pretty Fly for a White Guy.
September 2nd 2007 08:21
Before Jason ‘White Chocolate’ Williams, or Grayson ‘The Professor’
Boucher, ‘Pistol Pete’ Maravich was the original fly, white boy baller, with the mad handle (translation: Caucasian, that knew how to pass and dribble in a spectacular manner).
Pete was a maverick, and a spectacular showman to boot. Although, he may have played his ball in the 70s, his skills are still jaw dropping to contemporary eyes. He was quite simply, legendary.
Full Name: Pete Press Maravich
Date of Birth: 22nd June, 1947.
Died: 5th January, 1988.
Height: 6’5”
College: Louisiana State
Draft: 1970. Third overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks.
Average Points per Game: 24.2
Average Assists per Game: 5.4
Average Rebounds per Game: 4.2
Honours: Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1987); All-NBA First Team (1976, '77); All-NBA Second Team (1973, '78); All-Rookie Team (1971); Five-time NBA All-Star; One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).
College basketball in the United States has to be seen to be believed. The atmosphere and passions that are aroused are just phenomenal, with no other sporting outlet on earth that compares. Players, themselves are held to high esteem and although, certain players might suck as pros, they’ll always be admired for being collegiate standouts.
Pistol Pete is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the greatest college players in history, and also a badass pro. When talking about scoring records, there is no one else that even comes close to what Maravich accomplished during his time at LSU. His three seasons of basketball in Louisiana saw Pete’s scoring average at 43.8, 44.2, and 44.5, respectively, whilst leading the nation in points. Well, duh!
During his final season in college, Pistol, scored 50 or more points in 10 of LSU’s 31 games, setting an NCAA record for most points at 1, 381, or the while establishing the highest scoring average in college basketball history. Oh, and the cherry on top was being named as the College Player of the Year.
It would be a rather sad understatement to say that he had a great year – that season was one for the ages! Wilt Chamberlain didn’t even have that great of a year, and he probably got lucky with supermodels every night!
Holding virtually every NCAA scoring record, and for all of the basketball flair he had on the court, Maravich, was often criticised for being an individual talent, while not being able to win within a team concept. A condemnation that he would often hear during his career.
After being drafted by the Atlanta Hawks, Pistol Pete had an immediate impact on the team, averaging a very decent, 23.2 points per game. However, he wasn’t warmly received by some of the veterans on the squad, who resented his popularity and massive contract.
Teams that featured Maravich were spectacular to watch, with Pete being the maestro, but lacked the winning record that would satisfy his critics.
Atlanta would often have awful seasons, and experience quick exits from the playoffs. Frustratingly, for fans of the league, they would be watching the most entertaining player in the NBA, but in a losing situation. Yes, in the 70s Pistol Pete was even more fun to watch than Dr. J.
When the 1974-75 season began, the New Orleans Jazz entered the league as an expansion team and needed a marquee player to set the city abuzz. Who better than Maravich?
His years with the Jazz were perhaps the gold standard in entertaining basketball from an NBA player, with Maravich’s skills and showmanship unrivalled by any baller at that time, or since. His offensive game was without peer, while his passing bordered on the ridiculous – he was a joy to watch.
Sadly, the Jazz kept on losing.
Towards the end of his career, Maravich was still capable of scoring big chunks, while displaying dazzling basketball. In 1977 he had his finest year as a pro with a league leading 31.1 points per game, and scoring the most points for an individual. That same season, he also managed to light up the New York Knicks, and fellow legend Walt Frazier for 68 points.
However, injuries began to take its toll and his diminishing skills added to the frustration. Picked up by the Boston Celtics in 1980, he was a bit player at that stage, retiring soon afterwards.
In 1988 Pete Maravich passed away, suffering a heart attack on the basketball court playing a pick-up game.
Pistol Pete was a one-of-a-kind player, and put the magic in NBA basketball.
Please, watch today’s clip of Pete Maravich in action. You won’t be disappointed.
Funky threads, for a funky fella. (Wen Roberts/NBAE/Getty Images)
Pete was a maverick, and a spectacular showman to boot. Although, he may have played his ball in the 70s, his skills are still jaw dropping to contemporary eyes. He was quite simply, legendary.
Full Name: Pete Press Maravich
Date of Birth: 22nd June, 1947.
Died: 5th January, 1988.
Height: 6’5”
College: Louisiana State
Draft: 1970. Third overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks.
Average Points per Game: 24.2
Average Assists per Game: 5.4
Average Rebounds per Game: 4.2
Honours: Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1987); All-NBA First Team (1976, '77); All-NBA Second Team (1973, '78); All-Rookie Team (1971); Five-time NBA All-Star; One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).
College basketball in the United States has to be seen to be believed. The atmosphere and passions that are aroused are just phenomenal, with no other sporting outlet on earth that compares. Players, themselves are held to high esteem and although, certain players might suck as pros, they’ll always be admired for being collegiate standouts.
Pistol Pete is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the greatest college players in history, and also a badass pro. When talking about scoring records, there is no one else that even comes close to what Maravich accomplished during his time at LSU. His three seasons of basketball in Louisiana saw Pete’s scoring average at 43.8, 44.2, and 44.5, respectively, whilst leading the nation in points. Well, duh!
During his final season in college, Pistol, scored 50 or more points in 10 of LSU’s 31 games, setting an NCAA record for most points at 1, 381, or the while establishing the highest scoring average in college basketball history. Oh, and the cherry on top was being named as the College Player of the Year.
It would be a rather sad understatement to say that he had a great year – that season was one for the ages! Wilt Chamberlain didn’t even have that great of a year, and he probably got lucky with supermodels every night!
Holding virtually every NCAA scoring record, and for all of the basketball flair he had on the court, Maravich, was often criticised for being an individual talent, while not being able to win within a team concept. A condemnation that he would often hear during his career.
Pete Maravich made the sweetest music on the basketball court. (Image from NBA.com)
Teams that featured Maravich were spectacular to watch, with Pete being the maestro, but lacked the winning record that would satisfy his critics.
Atlanta would often have awful seasons, and experience quick exits from the playoffs. Frustratingly, for fans of the league, they would be watching the most entertaining player in the NBA, but in a losing situation. Yes, in the 70s Pistol Pete was even more fun to watch than Dr. J.
When the 1974-75 season began, the New Orleans Jazz entered the league as an expansion team and needed a marquee player to set the city abuzz. Who better than Maravich?
His years with the Jazz were perhaps the gold standard in entertaining basketball from an NBA player, with Maravich’s skills and showmanship unrivalled by any baller at that time, or since. His offensive game was without peer, while his passing bordered on the ridiculous – he was a joy to watch.
Sadly, the Jazz kept on losing.
Towards the end of his career, Maravich was still capable of scoring big chunks, while displaying dazzling basketball. In 1977 he had his finest year as a pro with a league leading 31.1 points per game, and scoring the most points for an individual. That same season, he also managed to light up the New York Knicks, and fellow legend Walt Frazier for 68 points.
However, injuries began to take its toll and his diminishing skills added to the frustration. Picked up by the Boston Celtics in 1980, he was a bit player at that stage, retiring soon afterwards.
In 1988 Pete Maravich passed away, suffering a heart attack on the basketball court playing a pick-up game.
Pistol Pete was a one-of-a-kind player, and put the magic in NBA basketball.
Please, watch today’s clip of Pete Maravich in action. You won’t be disappointed.
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